WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

TSN Hockey Insider to Headline Sportsman's Dinner

Published on December 3, 2019 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, MB. - The man that sets the bar when it comes to providing the best hockey coverage in Canada is set to take the stage as this year's headliner at the 2020 Brandon Wheat Kings' Q Country Sportsman's Dinner, presented by TELUS.

TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie will be joined by comedians Kelly Taylor and Jordan Welwood at this year's event, scheduled for Thursday, February 6thand held annually to raise money for the hockey club's Scholarship Foundation.

Famous to Canadians for delivering breaking news and analysis punctuated with wit and wisdom from his more than for years' experience covering hockey, McKenzie is the definitive authority on the hockey world. Using his unparalleled contacts, combined with an abundance of hockey knowledge and a genuine love for the game, he has earned a reputation as the most informed, most trusted and most connected reporter in the business.

In 2015, McKenzie was recognized by the Hockey Hall of Fame with the prestigious Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award for excellence in hockey journalism.

With more than 35 years of experience covering hockey, McKenzie is Twitter's number one choice for breaking news and analysis of the biggest stories in the game. With more than 1.6 million followers, he is easily the most followed media personality in Canada.

In addition to continuing to focus his industry leading analysis on TSN's coverage of the World Juniors, TSN Draft Ranking specials, he is extremely busy serving on such specials as TRADE CENTRE, FREE AGENT FRENZY and more.

Taylor meanwhile will be making his third appearance at the annual Brandon event.

From the time the Prince Albert, Saskatchewan native stepped on stage it was only nine short months later that he was headlining. In just his second year of comedy, Taylor shocked the comedy industry by placing second in the prestigious Just for Laughs Homegrown competition in Montreal.

Competing against comics, who have been in the business for years, Kelly firmly made his mark. So much so, his performance did not go unnoticed as creative heads from NBC Universal, Happy Gilmore Productions and Jimmy Kimmel quickly approached with interest. Later that year, he did a tour of the Canadian Colleges and was named Canadian College Comedian of the Year.

Having conquered Canada, Taylor has now moved on to being one of the busiest comedians on the American college scene. His ability to headline clubs, corporate and college events is evidence that this former goalkeeper is the 'real deal'.

In addition to Just for Laughs, he has appeared at both the Vancouver and Halifax Comedy Festivals as well as a number of prestigious events throughout the United States.

Serving as master of ceremonies and in charge of keeping this exciting night rolling from start to finish will be Winnipeg's own Jordan Welwood.

An outstanding comedy writer, Jordan won runner up in Sirius XM's "Canada's top Comic". He also made it to the finals of "Top Comic" in 2013.

The first ever winner of the Manitoba Roast Battle Tournament at Rumor's Comedy Club, he has peformed from coast to coast and was featured on Kevin Hart's LOL. His observations and imagery about his lifestyle and relationships, delivered with an animated performance are all around fun to watch.

Tickets to this year's event are $130 each and can be ordered by calling the Wheat Kings at (204) 726-3535. For more information on the event, its history as well as the WHL Scholarship Foundation, be sure to check out the club's official website located at www.wheatkings.com

Speaking of the club's Scholarship Fund, fourteen former members of the Wheat Kings' organization, including five members of the 2016 WHL Championship club have been awarded WHL scholarships for the 2019-20 academic year.

The five members from the Wheat Kings championship club include Duncan Campbell, James Shearer, Mitch Wheaton, Jordan Papirny and Garrett Armour.

Other Wheat Kings awarded scholarships this year include Josh Dechaine, Ayrton Nikkel, Jordan Wharrie, Colton Waltz, Kord Pankewicz, Dominic Thom, Mark Taraschuk, Schael Higson and Kade Jensen.

The Western Hockey League announced earlier this season that a total of 391 WHL graduate players have been awarded WHL Scholarships for the fall semester of the 2019-20 academic year. The 391 WHL Scholarships awarded represent the highest total for the fall academic session in WHL history, improving upon the mark of 386 set in the fall of 2018-19.

WHL Scholarships are solely funded by the member Clubs of the WHL and administered by the WHL Office. This season, WHL Clubs will contribute in excess of $2.8 million to WHL graduates utilizing the WHL Scholarship. Since 2009-10, WHL Clubs have awarded 3,868 WHL Scholarships, representing a contribution in excess of $22 million by WHL ownership to WHL graduates.

ABOUT THE SPORTSMAN'S DINNER: Former speakers at the Sportsman's Dinner have included the likes of Ron MacLean, Lanny McDonald, Dennis Hull, Brad Park, Phil Esposito, Mike Bossy, Ray Ferraro, Kevin Cheveldayoff, Wendel Clark, John Ferguson, Terry O'Reilly, Bryan Trottier and Don Cherry. Among the many comedians to take the stage at the Keystone Centre include Big Daddy Tazz, Derek Edwards, Tim Nutt, Mike MacDonald, Gord Paynter, Bruce Clark, Ron James and Corner Gas star Brent Butt.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 3, 2019


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